What is MEDEFEND?
MEDEFEND is a holistic Professional Indemnity (PI) scheme that covers individual medical practitioners from all specialties against actual or alleged claims of negligence and malpractice in Singapore. The scheme — endorsed by Singapore Medical Association (SMA) and Singapore Dental Association (SDA) — provides access to the country’s best medico-legal advisors and a dedicated Marsh team to ensure all claims and notifications are handled competently.
MEDEFEND is designed to meet the long-term and evolving needs of doctors, dentists, and medical practitioners in Singapore across all specialties and is co-insured by Allied World Insurance and Chubb.
How will MEDEFEND benefit you?
Our tailored Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance scheme includes:
- Loss and defense expenses for medical negligence claims.
- Legal costs cover for investigations in relation to medical council inquiries, coroner’s inquests, etc.
- Vicarious liability cover for employed nurses and locum doctors.
- Access to an experienced panel of medico-legal lawyers and claims advisory experts.
- Complimentary lifetime run-off cover for legally incapacitated or deceased doctors and their estate.
- Complimentary lifetime run-off cover for insured doctors who retire or cease practice upon completing three continuous policy years.
- Extension for loss of medical records and breach of personal data.
- Public relations and counselling costs.
- Legal representation costs in the event of a disciplinary enquiry.
- Worldwide cover for Good Samaritan acts and volunteer work.
- Cover for claims relating to defamation.
- Easy-to-use online policy management portal.
For more information on what you’ll be covered for under MEDEFEND, click here.
Who are our insurers?
MEDEFEND is insured by Allied World Insurance and Chubb. Allied World’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries have been rated highly by reputable rating agencies, indicating a strong financial standing and the ability to meet insurance obligations. Meanwhile, Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer and has had a long-standing presence in Singapore since 1948.
Why Marsh
Marsh is the official broker for MEDEFEND which has insured over 50,000 doctors and medical professionals in Asia. Marsh is a reputable PI insurance provider with tailored services across many key industries in the region.
Safeguard yourself against medical negligence and malpractice claims
Contact us to learn more about MEDEFEND.
FAQs
How do I sign up for MEDEFEND or renew my policy? |
Go to https://online.medefend.com.sg and click 'Sign Up' if you’re a new applicant and follow the steps. If you wish to renew your policy, login to the same link with your email address and password, and follow the directions accordingly. Doctors with claims history will be issued a quotation separately upon the insurer’s review. |
What is Marsh’s role in this scheme? |
Marsh Specialty is the official broker for MEDEFEND and is responsible for managing the administration (e.g. new applications, renewal applications, general inquiries), broking (e.g. negotiating the terms and conditions of the policy) and assisting members with settlement of claims. |
Why should I pick MEDEFEND over any other PI provider? |
MEDEFEND stands out among other medical indemnity providers in Singapore as a solution designed to address specific market challenges and support medical practitioners in the long-term. Marsh Specialty, in partnership with insurers, offers a sustainable insurance product tailored to the ongoing needs of Singapore’s medical profession. |
What else does MEDEFEND provide aside from the benefits listed above? |
Medical data protection: There is an extension for legal defence costs and awards for damages arising from loss of records and data or a medical data protection claim (e.g. infringement of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 and similar breaches). Advancement of defence costs: The policy advances defence costs, even for acts that are not covered by the policy (e.g. fraudulent and dishonest acts, sexual abuse). Defence costs will continue to be advanced until a final and binding adjudication has been issued. Plus, as MEDEFEND evolves, we will be including value-added services to medical practitioners, including advice on claims management, risk management, as well as various articles, case studies, and tips. |
How does this insurance policy operate? |
The MEDEFEND policy covers claims made against you during the policy period, as long as the claim was notified to the insurers during the same period. Therefore, you must notify Marsh Specialty as soon as reasonably practicable after you first became aware of a claim or investigation made against you, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy. |
Am I covered for overseas work? |
The policy will cover humanitarian missions, research, training and similar activities conducted overseas. This coverage is capped at 60 days within a 12-month insurance period. |
Am I covered for Good Samaritan acts? |
Yes. The policy provides cover for Good Samaritan acts which is defined as the provision — without fee or reward — of first aid services outside of your workplace (e.g. at the scene of an emergency, accident or disaster). |
Am I covered if I receive a claim alleging negligence due to the influence of alcohol or drugs? |
The policy excludes cover for negligence arising from the use of alcohol or drugs. Nonetheless, it will cover for defence costs provided you are innocent of such allegations. |
Does the policy provide cover for locum work? Am I covered in the event my nurse makes a mistake and I am held vicariously liable? |
Yes, you are covered under MEDEFEND subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. |
Will I still be covered after I retire from medical practice? |
An unlimited extended reporting period will be extended in the event of retirement if you have been insured under this scheme for at least three consecutive years. |
Is my estate covered in the event I pass away or become legally incapacitated and my estate is sued for my past medical work? |
Yes. Upon death or legal incapacitation, the policy will continue to provide cover for claims made against your estate/heirs/legal representatives arising from medical services previously provided by you. |
If I switch from a previous indemnity provider, will my past work be covered? And is it free? |
If your existing indemnity cover is provided on an occurrence basis, your MEDEFEND policy will only cover your present and future work. However, if your existing indemnity cover is provided on a claims-made basis, your MEDEFEND policy will provide the same amount of retroactive cover. |
Do you issue individual policies? |
Yes, policies under MEDEFEND are issued on an individual practitioner basis. Each successful applicant will be issued their own policy schedule. |
How can I submit a claim with MEDEFEND? |
MEDEFEND offers a seamless claims experience with a user-friendly process and prompt responses from our dedicated support team. Click here to learn more. |